Air conditioning apparatus



May 18, 1937.

E. L. W'IEGAND AIR CONDITIONING APPARATUS Original Filed May 19, 1935 3Sheets-Shoat l 24... 4a gjyazfi Bow: L-W\ a AND I NVLYSTOK A-r-rowz rugsMay 18, 1937. 1 wlEGAND 2,080,797

AIR CONDITIONING APPARATUS Original Filed May 19, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet 2I N VLNTOR vjWW w/W Arr TO R NEaS Enwnu LsWIBC-aAND May 18, 1937. E. L.WIEGAND AIR CONDITIONING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 EDWIN LNVEEQAND'Original Filed May l9, 1933 I N VLN 'ro AT ZRME s Patented May 18, 1937PATENT OFFICE AIR CONDITIONING APPARATUS Edwin L. Wiegand, Pittsburgh,Pa., assignor to Edwin L. Wiegand Company, Pittsburgh, Pa., acorporation of Pennsylvania Application May 19, 1933, Serial No. 671,878Renewed February 15, 1937 12 Claims.

This invention relatesto air conditioning apparatus and has for itsprincipal object the provision of new and improved apparatus of thischaracter.

In the drawings accompanying this specification and forming a part ofthis application, I have shown, for the purpose of illustration, oneform which my invention may assume, and in these drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of the invention, showing parts inelevation,

Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the invention, with portionsthereof broken away to disclose the interior construction,

Figure 3 is a fragmentary, enlarged, broken vertical sectional viewcorresponding substantial- 1y to the line 3-3 of Figure 2,

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of one portion ofthe apparatus,

Figure 5 is a rear elevational view of the invention showing one mannerof supporting the motor and fan unit,

Figure 6 is a similar view showing a different embodiment ofthe motorand fan supporting means, p

Figure 7 is a side elevational view of a thermally responsive meansemployed in connection.

with the invention, and showing the partsin one Figure 8 is a verticalsectional view of the thermally responsive means taken on the line 8-8of Figure 9, and disclosing the parts 'in a different position,

Figure 9 is a top plan view, partially in section, of the thermallyresponsive means shown in Figures '7 and 8, while Figure 10 is adiagrammatic layout of the electrical appliances employed in connectionwith the invention.

The embodiment of-the invention shown in Figures 1 through 5,! through9, and Figure 10,

comprises a metallic casing 28, preferably oblong rectangularincross-section and open at both ends. Adjacent one end of the casing 20is dis posed a plurality of electrical heating elements 2 extendingtransversely across the passage defined by the inner casing wall, and,as best shown iii-Figures 3 and 4, each having an elongated portion 22,oblong rectangular in crosssection, disposed edgewise to the directionof air flow through the casing 20, comprising a metal-'- lic outercasing 23, a heating coil 24', and interposed insulating refractorymaterial 25, the ends oh the coil being connected with terminal posts 26and 21. Arranged along the body portion 22 of each heating element 2|,is a plurality of laterally extending fin members 28, each having acentral aperture surrounded by a flange 29, and so disposed that theflanges 29 are arranged in overlappingabutting relation, the fins 28providing large radiating surfaces and operating also to provide airpassages therebetween which direct passing air in well defineddirections.

I Supporting the heating elements 2|' in proper position in the casing20 are supporting means comprising a support 38 for one'setof ends ofthe heating elements 2|, and a support 3|, for the opposite ends of theheating elements 2|, the supports 30 and 3| preferably being similar,though oppositely disposed, and the same reference characters designatelike parts of both. Each of the supports 38 and 3| comprises a pair ofend blocks 32, over which is fitted an angular section 33, having aflange 34 welded to one end of the block 32, asat 35, and having aflange 36 welded to the top of the block, and the flange 36 is providedwith a plurality of slots 31, each beginning adjacent the corner of thesection 33, and extending outwardly and opening at the free I edge ofthe flange 36. \Each slot 31 is adapted for the reception of one end ofthe rectangular body portion 22 of an individual heating element 2|, andthe body portion 22 of each heating element is maintained in position ineach slot 31 by means of a plate 40 detachably secured to the 30opposite endof each block 32, as by a screw 4| tapped into the block,the plate 40 being provided with an angular flange 42 which lies snugagainst the edge of the flange 36 and spans the mouths of the slots 31,to close the same, and the plate 40 also cooperates with the section 33,and the. blocks 32, to define a hollow formation characteristic ofbothsupports 30 and 3|, and within 4 which the projecting ends of thebody pOrtions 22 of the heating elements are accommodated. The spacedsupporting formations 30 and 3| are tied together by side bars 43 havingtheir ends secured to the blocks 32 by welding or the like; as at 44,and the side bars 43 are secured to the casing 20 by screws 45 threadedinto tapped holes 46 extending through the side bars 43 and .into theblocks 32. In the case of the support 3|, the heating elements 2| may beinserted lateral- 1y into the slots 31', with the flange 36 extending.between the adjacent end pair of fins 28, the latter preferably beingplaced closer together than the remainder .of the fins to insure snugreception of the flange 36 therebetween, and in the case of the support30 the heating elements 2| may also be inserted laterally into the slotsconnecting members 49, and the bars 48 in turn are connected byconductors 50 and 5| with terminal posts 52 and 53 positioned in areceptacle 54 at the exterior of the. housing 20, the manner.

' of electrically connecting the'heating elements 2i being hereinaftermore particularly pointed out 5 in connection with the description ofthe diagrammatic layout shown in Figure 10.

At the outlet'of the casing there are provided a plurality of louvers ordeflectors 558 pivotally mounted as at 55|, and manually ad- 20 justablefor intercepting and directing the air issuing from the outlet of thecasing 28 as desired.

At the inner side of the bank of heating elements, and within the casing28, there is mounted a partition 55 having angular flanges 56 secured tothe casing wall by bolts 51, and the partition 55 is provided with acentral aper- "ture 58 within which is disposed a fan 59, carried by thearmature shaft of a motor 60.

ported in position with respect to the casing 20, by feet 8|projecting-from the central part 62 of the motor, and the feet 6| restupon the end portions of a plate G3,bearing upon the central portionsofv a pair of resilient metallic supporting strips 84, the feet 6|, theplate 63, and'the" central portions of the strips 84 being all clampedtogether by bolts 65, and the outer opposite end portions of the members64' diverge with respect to each other and end flanges thereof securedto the casing wall, as bybolts 56. Rubber pads may be interposed betweenthe feet 8| and the plate 63 for dampening vibrations.

' i A somewhat difierent embodiment of motor mounting'is shown in Figure6, in this case comprising a supporting member having a cradle portion61 secured by screws to the motor casing, and connected by struts 68 toa ring 68 hav- 5; ing a flange 18 secured to the partition 55. by

screws I l. v

As best showrr in Figure 10, the heating elements 2| are connected inparallel circuits i2, .13, and I4, the-circuits I3 and Hi connecting 55through jumper straps 15 and 16 withthe conductors Hand 18, the jumperstraps in the positions shown in full lines in'Figure 10, rendering thesystem suitable for single phase operation.. The jumper straps I5 and 16however,

60 may be rearranged, as indicated in dotted lines in Figure 10, toconnect with a conductor 19, and thus render the system suitable forthree phase operation. The conductors 11, I8 and 19 are .adapted to beconnected with feed wires through a switch 80. Control mechanism isincluded in a parallel circuit 8|, comprising a thermostaticallycontrolled switch 82, of any commercial type, operable to make and breakthe circuit 8| dependent upon the temperature,

0 and operating through any well known type of switch operatingmechanism, one of which may include a spring normally urging the bladesof ,the switch 88 to disengaged position, while a solenoid 83, whenenergized, operates to close 75 and hold closed the switch 80, so thatwh n t e thermostatically controlled switch 82 breaks the circuit 8|,the solenoid is de-energized, permitting the spring to disengage theswitch 88 and 9, the safety thermal cut-out comprises anelongatedmetallic block 85 secured by bolts to the plate 34 of the supportingformation 3| for the heating elements 2|, and to the opposite sides ofthe block are clamped resilient contact members 88 and 81, havingangular end portions provided with contact points- 88, and the member8,! is extended to provide an extension 89, and to the extension 89 isclamped an operating rod 98 extendingto the outside of the casing '28and terminating in an operating knob, each of the contact members 86 and81 being insulated from the block 85 and from each other by suitableinsulating members, and the bolts 8| which clamp the contact members inposition also serve as terminal members 92 for connection with wiresforming the circuit 8|. The As shown in Figure 5 the motor 60 is'sup--block 85 is also provided with an offset portion 93 to which is secureda bimetallic thermally responsive element 94, and to the opposite sideof the block 85 is secured a resilient latch member 95 having a screwextending laterally therethrough providing an adjustable post 96 whichextends between the contact members 86 and 81 and into abutment with thethermally re sponsive element 94, and beyond the post 98 the latchmember 95 is provided with a laterally extending portion having anengagingface 91 adapted in one position to bear against the extension89-to hold the contacts 88 in engagement, and also having a beveled surface98 to facilitate movement of the extension 89 into latching positionwhen the extension 89 is moved by manipulation of the rod 98 to resetthe latch 'after the same has been detached. 5

Assuming the jumper straps I5 and 16 to be 7 in the position illustratedin full lines in Figure 10, for single phase operation, and the circuit8| closed, the fan will operate to. direct air through the casing 20,and through and into contact with the heating elements 2|, such airemerging between the louvers or deflectors 558. Due to the manner inwhich the heating elements 2| are arranged in the casing, that is,edgewise with respect to the air stream, and because of the presence ofthe fins 28 upon the heating elements 2|, passage of the air through theheating elements not only-is not unduly obstructed, but the air isdirected in well defined paths forwardly from the mouth of the casingand the air so issuingrnay be more effectively directed where desiredthrough manipulation of I the louvers 558; in addition. the fins 28provide extensive radiating surfaces and great eiiiciency as will beunderstood, The heating elements 2| may be operated in concert, as justdescribed, but, if desired, the heating units in the circuits 13 and/orI4 may be cut out temporarily by Hisconnecting the jumper strapsIS-and/or'lfi.

Automatic controlof the heating elements 2| is effected throughoperation of the thermostatically controlled switch 82 which interruptsthe circuit 8| when the temperature rises beyond a predetermined level,resulting in disconnection of the switch 80, and deenergization of theheating elements 2|. When the temperature falls suificiently to againoperate the thermostatically controlled switch 82, the circuit 8| isagain closed, resulting in closing of the switch 80, and energization ofwhatever heating elements are included in the circuit.

The safety thermal cut-out 84 is located adjacent to the heating coils2|, and when the temperature rises too high for safety, the safetycutout operates to interrupt the circuit 8|, and deenergizes the heatingelements. This operation takes place through deformation of thebimetallic strip 94, which forces the latch 95 outwardly, and causes thecontact member 8'! to spring away and separate the contact points 88.The safety cut-out of course deenergizes the circuit 8| until the deviceis reset by manipulation of the rod 9|], which may be pressed inward-1y, causing the extension 89 of the contact member 81 to ride along thebeveled surface 98 of the latch until the latch springs into position toagain hold the points 88 in engagement.

To convert the heater circuit for three phase operation it is onlynecessary to disconnect the jumper straps l and I6 from communicationwith the conductors l1 and I8, and connect the ends thereof to the thirdconductor 19, in which case the circuits l3 and 14 are completed throughthe conductor 19, and the remainder of the apparatus operates in themanner already described. 1

While I have herein disclosed the preferred embodiment of my inventionit will be understood that various changes may be made and detailsmodified, all without departing from the spirit of my invention, orsacrificing the ad-- vantages thereof, either those advantages hereinabove specifically pointed out or any other advantages not specificallypointed out but which nevertheless will be apparent. to those skilled inthe art. Therefore it will be understood that the disclosure herein isillustrative only, and that my invention is not limited thereto.

I claim:

' 1. Apparatus of the character described, comprising: a plurality ofheating elements having conductors forming connected circuits;multiphase feed conductors; and conducting means adapted to form part ofsaid connected circuits and shiftably mounted and selectivelyconnectable with two or more of said feed conductors in ductors of theother circuit, or with the thirdwire of said feed conductors.

3. Heating apparatus. comprising: an electrical resistor; supplyconductors for said resistor; a contactor interposed in said supplyconductors; electro-responsive operating means for said contactor; athermostat, having contacts, disposed in the space to be heatedby saidresistor; a

manually operable switch; and conducting means connecting saidelectro-responsive operating means and said thermostat contacts and saidmanually operable switch in series in a circuit in shunt with saidsupply conductors.

4. Heating apparatus, comprising: an electrical resistor; supplyconductors for said resistor; a contactor interposed in said supplyconductors; electro-responsive operating means for said contactor; athermostat, having contacts, disposed in the space to be heated by saidresistor; thermal cut-out means, disposed adjacent said resistor,directly subject to heat given all by said resistor; and conductingmeans connecting said electro-responsive operating means and saidthermostat contacts and said thermal cutout means in series in a circuitin shunt with said supply conductors.

5. Heating apparatus, comprising: an electrical resistor; supplyconductors for said resistor; a contactor interposed in said supplyconductors; EIGCt-IOvI'SSDOIlSlVf-E operating means for said contactor;thermal cut-out means, having relatively movable contacts, disposedadjacent said resistor, directly subject to heat given oiT by saidresistor; means whereby said thermal cut-out means causes movement ofsaid relatively movable contacts to one position in response to saidheat, said contacts remaining in said position until manually reset; andconduct-ing means connecting said electro-responsive operating means andsaid relatively movable contacts of said thermal cut-out in series in acircuit in shunt with said supply conductors.

6. In combination: an electrical heating element; supply conductors forsaid element; means including a thermally responsive device, disposed inthe space to be heated by said heating element, automatically operableto connect and disconnect said heating element and said supplyconductors; a motor-driven fan for directing a stream of air againstsaid heating element; and thermally responsive safety means, disposedadjacent said heating element and subject to the combined influence ofthe heat given all by said heating element and the stream of airgenerated by said fan, and operable upon abnormal rise in temperature atsaid thermally responsive safety means to cause disconnection of saidheating element from said supply conductors.

'7. In combination: an electrical heating element; motor-driven fan fordirecting a stream oi. air against said heating element; thermallyresponsive safety means, disposed adjacent said heating element andsubject to the combined influence of the heat given off by said heatingelement, and the stream of air generated by said fan, and operable uponabnormal rise'in temperature at said thermally responsive safety meansto cause disconnection of said heating element from said supplyconductors; and means whereby said motor-driven fan may be caused tooperate while said heating element is disconnected from said supplyconductors.

8. In combination: an electrical heating element; supply conductors forsaid element; means including a thermally responsive device, disposed inthe space to be heated by said heating element, automatically operableto connect and disconnect said heating element and said supplyconductors; an electric motor-driven fan for directing a stream of airagainst said heating element; thermally responsive safety'means,disposed adjacent said heating element and subject to the combinedinfluence of the heat given 01! by said heating element and the streamof air supply conductors for said element; a

4- generated by said fan, and operable upon ab normal rise intemperature at said thermally responsive safety means to causedisconnection of said heating element from said supply conductors; andmeans for separately feeding said 7 motor from said supply conductors sothat said motor-driven fan may continue to operate when said heatingelement is disconnected from said ing means; means for supplying energyto heatsaid heating means; and means whereby upon stoppage of said motorsaid energy supplying means ceases to supply energy to said heatingmeans.

10. Heating apparatus connectable to electrical .supply conductors,comprising; a plurality 'of groups of electrical heating elements, eachgroup including one or more heating elements; means for-selectivelyconnecting a predetermined numher of said groups in parallel across twosupply conductors or connecting said groups individually acrossdiilerent pairs of supply conductors.

11. Heating apparatus connectable to electricalsupply conductors,comprising: a plurality of series connected groups of electrical heatingelements, each group including one or more heating elements; means forselectively connecting a predetermined number of said groups in parallelacross two supply conductors or connecting said groups individuallyacross different pairs of supply conductors.

'12. Heating apparatus connectable to conductors of a single phase orthree phase alternating current supply, comprising a plurality of groups0! electrical heating elements, each group including one or more heatingelements; means for selectively connecting a predetermined number ofsaid groups in parallel-across a single phase a

